Penalties Doled out for Ignoring Dying D.C. Man

WUSA9.com On Aug 21, 2014

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) – On Thursday, the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DCFEMS) issued Final Agency Decisions for the firefighters who did not help Medric "Cecil" Mills after he collapsed in a parking lot across the street from a fire station.

You may remember that 77-year-old Mills suffered from a heart attack in late January and died steps from Engine 26 on Rhode Island Avenue NE.

In disciplinary proceedings held on June 17th, 20th and 25th, the trial board panels recommended an official reprimand of one firefighter, found another firefighter not guilty and suspension for another firefighter.

"The disciplinary actions recommended are not severe enough. It's completely unacceptable for these firefighters to not respond to a request for emergency medical services," said Interim DCFEMS Chief Eugene A. Jones in a written statement. "Unfortunately, our disciplinary process does not offer the Fire Chief any latitude to render discipline autonomously."

According to a press release from DCFEMS, "Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the Fire Chief has no authority to increase a proposed penalty recommendation from a Fire Trial Board. The Fire Chief can only accept or reduce a proposed penalty or dismiss a case."

Chief Jones will not dismiss or reduce any of the proposed disciplinary actions.